Robert (Bob) Theodore Slie departed this life at home on September 10, 2026 after a brief illness. Born on October 23, 1948, to William and Anne (Yustin) Slie, he grew up in Seymour surrounded by extended family. He graduated from Seymour High School in 1966. He married Rosemary Poplawski in 1970 and spent 56 years as her caring and supportive husband, building a beautiful partnership of love and humor in Oxford. They were faithful congregants of St. Augustine’s Church and then Good Shepherd Church, from its inception.
Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree from SCSU, paying for his education by working at Klarides grocery store. Later, he received Master’s and Sixth Year diplomas in education, also from SCSU. He spent his 40-year career in the Amity district. He began teaching social studies in 1970 at Amity Junior High School in Orange. He sponsored numerous clubs, student activities and coached baseball and football. Working as an adjunct professor, he taught Western Civilization in SCSU’s Evening Division throughout the 1980s. Bob was named Amity Teacher of the Year in 1985.
He later worked as an assistant principal in all three district schools and ended his illustrious career as the long-serving principal at Amity Middle School Orange. He was an active member of The New England League of Middle Schools and The Connecticut Association of Schools. Bob worked closely with The Orange Drug and Alcohol Action Committee and other community groups. After his retirement, he supported Amity’s new teacher program and mentored student teachers at The University of New Haven. He continued offering his experience as Chair of the Oxford School Building Committee, overseeing the construction of a new middle school in his hometown.
He continued public service as a member of the Great Oak Elementary School Improvement Committee. He was inducted into Amity’s Hall of Honor in 2024.
Although he was a celebrated educator and community member, Bob’s family meant the world to him. His proudest title was “Dad” to Tina Slie and Wendy (Brian Carey) Carrafiello. He spent a great deal of time supporting their academic, athletic and creative endeavors with a patient and loving demeanor.
To Bob, loving meant giving his daughters wings to pursue life. He cherished his role as “Papi”, keeping the Red Sox as his legacy for his Yankee fan grandsons Robby and Joey Carrafiello. He relished cooking them bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches every Sunday. Bob enthusiastically attended their sporting events, including soccer, basketball and baseball.
He proudly watched his grandchildren play for George J. Hummel Little League, an organization that his father helped establish in the 1950s. He saw them achieve remarkable success as SHS basketball players under the coaching of his son-in-law, Joe Carrafiello. Bob enjoyed making friends by chatting with family members and players throughout his grandson’s sporting experiences.
Bob lived a full and active life, enjoying sports as a long-time season ticket holder for the Hartford Whalers and New Haven Ravens, playing men’s softball well into his 60s, doing yardwork on his Kubota tractor, gardening, fishing and tying flies, tending to his chickens and becoming a “noted” collector and friend in the milk bottle community. His favorite vacation memory was a cross-country road trip with his wife and friend, Bob Conte. Bob was loved and respected by many, including friends, teammates, students and colleagues, especially Leo Scillia, Milt & Karen Gavigan, Alberta Conte and Lynn Faye.
He is predeceased by his parents and brother (Jimmy). He leaves behind a brother (Billy), brother and sister-in-law (Tommy and Helen Poplawski), sister-in-law (Marcie Slie), six nieces and nephews (Stefanie Newman, Shelby LoRusso, Haley Addis, Christopher Kimble & Jordan Kimble), along with their spouses and children, totaling nine great nieces and nephews as well as several cousins with whom he grew up. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the newly established Robert T. Slie Future Educator Scholarship, which will annually benefit a graduating Amity senior pursuing education at a CT State University.
Donations can be mailed to the Valley Community Foundation, 253-A Elizabeth Street Derby CT 06418 or on-line at https://www.valleyfoundation.org/ (search Robert T. Slie or click donor central).
Calling Hours are Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday September 19th at 10:00 AM at St. Nicholas Parish-Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Mountain Road, Seymour. Interment will be private. Please share a memory by going to www.hullfh.com